Web 2.0 applications are powered by AJAX --- Asynchronous JavaScript And XML. AxsJAX leverages AJAX techniques to inject accessibility support into Web 2.0 applications.
AJAX techniques have helped Web developers create live applications within Web browsers. The AxsJAX framework helps inject accessibility features into these applications so that users of adaptive technologies such as screen readers and self-voicing browsers experience the same level of interactivity that is now taken for granted by users of Web 2.0 applications.
Our accessibility goals include but are not limited to:
Web applications that use JavaScript have traditionally proven an access barrier to screen reader users for the following reasons:
Finally, JavaScript in the browser is a powerful mechanism that has enabled us to turn the Web from a world of static documents to a platform for deploying dynamic end-user applications. The primary goal of the AxsJAX framework is to leverage these same advantages presented by JavaScript in the browser to create flexible, powerful accessibility solutions.
We are open-sourcing the AxsJAX framework early in its development to foster a healthy community around the concept of access-enabling Web applications by injecting accessibility enhancements via JavaScript.
AxsJAX initially targets Google applications. As we discover design patterns that work, we are refactoring these into common modules that foster code reuse. Notice that these common modules are not Google specific, and can be leveraged to inject accessibility enhancements to any application deployed on the Web.
The long-term goals of AxsJAX will be largely end-user driven. This initial release hints at the type of end-user benefits that can be enabled via such a framework. Our goal is to create a healthy community built on an open framework for enhancing the accessibility of Web 2.0 applications.
AxsJAX is pronounced Access Jax to rhyme with AJAX.
AxsJAX injects accessibility enhancements as defined by W3C ARIA. The prerequisites for experiencing its benefits include:
W3C ARIA is a collection of specifications that is presently under development at the W3C. Early support for W3C ARIA is available in Firefox 2.0, and its features are beginning to be leveraged by newer versions of screen readers.
W3C ARIA works by enhancing the DOM with accessibility specific properties. The AxsJAX framework enables the injection of such DOM properties into existing Web applications via JavaScript. It provides a light-weight yet flexibile mechanism for experimenting with various design patterns for enhancing the accessibility of AJAX applications.
The set of specifications collectively known as W3C ARIA is still under active development. Applications that have been enhanced via AxsJAX provide real-life examples for testing ARIA support within new versions of screen readers. Thus, whereas individual test-suites help screen reader developers test support for a given feature, AxsJAX enabled applications provide live examples for carrying out end-to-end testing.
W3C ARIA is still under active development. By access-enabling complete applications, AxsJAX helps in the development of the W3C ARIA specifications by discovering what works and by identifying gaps that need to be filled.
The AxsJAX framework can inject accessibility enhancements into existing Web 2.0 applications using any of several standard Web techniques:
The open source Fire Vox extension to Firefox provides an ideal tool for Web developers who may not necessarily have commercial screen readers available for testing. Fire Vox is a cross-platform self-voicing extension to Firefox that includes early support for most of the leading edge features of W3C ARIA.
Date: 2007/10/30 14:35:13